One of our greatest callings as parents is to raise children who can thrive in freedom—not just obey when watched, but walk in wisdom when no one’s looking. It isn’t about raising kids who can put on a perfect performance, turn on good behavior when grandparents are around, avoid punishment, or ace a test. It’s about building character and capacity to steward freedom.
Lots of freedom! In our home, we don’t just teach kids what to think and to blindly obey and comply — we guide them how to think, how to choose, to ask questions and we show them how to recover when choices lead to mistakes. We give them space to try, fail, try again. And we give them freedom to experiment and learn with grace.
When you give a child freedom, you also give them responsibility—and that’s where real learning begins. If a child abuses the freedom, I sometimes have to say “since you are being irresponsible you are obviously not ready for this kind of freedom and responsibility.” And we often have to teach them a lesson by taking away a privilege. Like screen time, or give them the opportunity to fix what they messed up before allowing them to have that level of freedom again. Basically – “Act like a baby and I’ll treat you like one!”
We raise our children with the end in mind: not just graduation, but life. And life begins now! That means letting them practice freedom while we’re still here to catch them, guide them, and love them through the process. Not controlling them—but connecting with them so they learn to govern themselves.
Fun-Schooling isn’t just about flexible academics. It’s about nurturing hearts, creativity, and ownership of learning—so our kids grow up prepared to lead, love, and live well.
The goal isn’t a perfect child. The goal is a thriving, free-thinking human who knows how to learn, choose wisely, and love deeply.
Freedom is a very precious gift, many people around the world do not enjoy the freedom, opportunity, and the justice that is available to those of us celebrating the birth of the United States – we often forget what freedom cost and we forget how to steward and value this treasure.
In my home, in the way I educate my children and as a citizen of this great country – I feel deeply grateful for freedom, and with it I feel both a deep sense of gratitude and responsibility.
I want to raise children with the same values, and so I teach them by example – the love of liberty and the wise stewardship of it – in every facet of life.
Let’s raise kids who don’t need to escape our rules to find themselves—because they were trusted, respected, and trained in freedom all along.
We like to post threads in our private Facebook Group suggesting books and resources for different journals. These are items the Fun-Schooling team has used, and Moms in the FB group have used with their kids.
Today I am putting all of these threads together in one place for you! I hope this will be a useful tool for you and your children as you figure out what to do with your Fun-Schooling Journals! I will update this whenever we post new suggestions.
Book & Resource Suggestions for Fun-Schooling Journals
Here are links to all the threads for journal + resource suggestions we have completed so far. If you are NOT on Facebook and would like this information, please feel free to reach out, and we’ll be happy to get it to you another way.
These could also be used with Travel Dreams: United States, the United States section in Adventures Around the World, and US cities in Travel Dreams: 30 Fascinating Cities
Note: By including these books on our lists, we are not implying any endorsement, partnership, or affiliation with the authors or publishers of these books. These are suggestions based on feedback from other Fun-Schooling families. Select materials at your discretion based on your family’s values and needs.
Have a journal you’re eager to see suggestions for? Let us know in the comments or send us a DM!
Homeschooling on its own can be a challenging feat. However, when you have neurologically diverse children, it can get even trickier. They learn differently and see the world in unique ways. The mainstream approach can have you pulling your hair out before your first week is even over.
Lovely momma, I am here to tell you that when it comes to our kiddos, we are the only ones who truly know how best to educate them.
You are allowed to teach your kids in the way they learn best. My whole view on education changed when I discovered Fun-Schooling Journals. These journals help me tailor-make each child’s education with minimal effort and frustration for both parties.
It’s not a cookie-cutter curriculum. There is no one telling you what you should or should not be doing with your kids. You can absolutely do whatever works for your child.
For example: • For a Visual Learner: Use YouTube and documentaries. • For a Child Who Doesn’t Like Drawing or Coloring: Print pictures and paste them into their books. • For a Reluctant Writer: Have them type out their research findings, print it, and stick it in the journal. • For a Struggling Reader: Use podcasts and audiobooks, or even apps that convert text to speech.
Our goal is to learn—no matter what tools we have to use to reach that goal. Our job is to teach our kids how to learn and to become lifelong learners because we never stop learning.
For me, teaching my kids how to learn and how to utilize the tools available to them is one of the most important skills I can impart. It is a skill that will ensure they can follow their own path and be independent in a world that often encourages dependence. Even if the outside world—or even family members—might not agree with the way your kids learn, that is more than okay. Having a happy and thriving child is far more important than the opinions of others.
Are you homeschooling social kids who always want to work on school with someone else? Do they thrive with field trips, with friends, and snuggling with you on the couch to read? Are they interested in social studies, watching other people, and understanding more about social behaviors? Have you ever thought to yourself, “I wish they would be willing to work alone for a bit!”?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you are raising what we call a Friend Learner.
We know it can be a challenge to find a balance in educating kids who would much rather be social than “do school”, today we’ll offer some tips to help them thrive.
Homeschooling Social Kids- You’ve Got a Friend in Me!
Friend learners want to learn with more friends involved! We recognize this can be tricky. Especially when you have other children to give your attention to. Or maybe, like me, you’re raising an only child and don’t have the ability- or energy- to be their primary social outlet every day. By tapping into their desire to connect & learn about others, you can find an educational approach that works for both of you.
Tips for helping social kids learn-
Merge homeschooling with social time
This is the biggest key for Friend learners. We have to let go of the idea of “school” looking like quiet work alone with these kids. Yes, I will provide you with tips for how to get some quiet alone work below. AND your Friend learner is going to totally wither if this is what they’re expected to do all day.
Our Co-Op handbook has 30 projects Friend Learners can work on with others. It is a mix of life skills, outdoor activities, and community service projects your Friend Learner will love. These do nothave to be done with a co-op. Let your friend learner pick who to complete them with- friends, family, a small group, or-yes- a co-op. Some Friend Learners want to do one a week while others want to do one a month, quarter, or semester to really dive in. Work with them to figure out what they’d most like to do.
Let them study their interests
These kids are often interested in social studies. They really enjoy learning about other cultures, communities, people groups, careers, and all things people-related. Animals are also often a big interest, and they may want to involve a pet in their school day. World Tour is an especially popular journal for Friend learners as it involves cultures and animals! The Guide to Birth Work is popular among a lot of Friend teens who want to either be involved in birth work or have children of their own one day. By tapping into their interests, you can set them up to love learning. As a bonus, they’ll often be more than willing to work on school work alone when it is something they are interested in.
Utilize time together in nature and field trips
Your Friend learner will open up in a totally different way outdoors and on Field Trips. Homeschooling social kids usually means a lot of outings. These kids often really enjoy going out with our Bird Watching Journal. Bird watching is a perfect togetherness activity, especially as you learn more about different birds using the Book of State Birds. Kids get so excited when they correctly identify a bird out in nature and document it themselves! They also feel more bonded through the shared experience with whomever they’re bird-watching. Field Trips are another great way to provide this outlet for them.
Provide ways to set up their school work together
Give your child a dedicated chunk of time together to set up their learning. It will help meet their need for time together, and that, in turn, will fill their bubble enough they’ll be able to work independently for a bit. Math Mysteries is a favorite for Friend Learners. You can create problems for them to solve in this journal. Kids often love it when you create silly or seemingly extremely difficult problems- that they can meet with success!
If you can take a bit of time to read together every day, that will make a big difference too. A Day Like Tomorrow is a fun little book about being together wither others and animals. Gather up some beautiful Living Books to read together before your child starts their school work. Fill their cup of “togetherness” time and tap into something they are learning about.
Setting up your Friend Learner’s core journal with them is also helpful. Some Friends open up a blank core journal and feel overwhelmed. Homeschooling with Pets is one of the most popular core journals for Friend learners. Sit down with them once a day or once a week to “preview” what they will work on. You may need to make some notes in the journal for what exactly they should be working on- which book, how many pages from the book, etc. Some Friend learners also like to have a note made for activities they can do with someone else.
Mom School!
Friend Learners LOVE it when Mom (or another adult/older sibling) sits next to them during school. Mom School gives you an opportunity to be a good example of lifelong learning while giving your child the feeling of connection they desire. You can invite your Friend learner to color in your journal or “help” you with different words as you’re reading/writing. Many moms homeschooling social kids like to select a journal to work on together. You and your child can each get a copy and learn with each other.
Leave space for creativity, art, and “breathing room” for their brains
Even the most extroverted of children- and adults- need time alone. They will burn themselves out and sometimes even make themselves sick if they don’t get it. We incorporate a lot of art and creativity in our journals to give a pause. Art has been shown to help the brain process what it has already learned- as well as just life in general! It is critical for Friend learners to become comfortable with taking time alone to pause and go inward a bit. Comfort & Joy Brain Games is a favorite for Friends- full of all things cozy and togetherness. Have your student do a few pages from it every week.
Involve other family members or friends
If possible, invite someone else older to come alongside your student for part of their schooling. They can work through a journal of interest together, sit and read aloud, or take them on field trips. Laura & Leah’s Journal for Two and Spelling Time for Two were both created with Friend Learners in mind! So was our Storytelling Book. These would be fantastic journals to bring someone else to work on with your student. Older siblings often really enjoy getting to “teach” their younger sibling. Or see if a nearby relative, friend, or trusted neighbor can help. We’ve even had distant relatives purchase a journal to work on via video chat with a child. Get creative in involving others.
Ask for their feedback and go with the flow
It can be hard to find balance when homeschooling social kids. Ask for their feedback regarding having their desire for time with others met. Sometimes, we make our plan, and it goes well for a bit, so we don’t think to check in again. I find checking in about every six weeks is best. Six weeks gives everyone a good feel for the current rhythm and then changes can be made. Be willing to go with the flow. Your Friend learner will likely have cycles where they desire more or less time with others. You are their best advocate!
If you’re homeschooling social kids, we’ve created this bundle just for them. It contains our most popular journals for Friend Learners and a suggested lesson plan. It and many of the journals mentioned above are on SALE for our February 2025 Friend Month.
WIN THIS BUNDLE –
Hop over to Facebook and Instagram for a chance to WIN the bundle. Hurry, the contest ends on Saturday, February 8th.
We include copywork pages in almost every Fun-Schooling journal. Sometimes, a mom asks, “What is copywork?” or “What do I do with these copywork pages?” Today, we wanted to explain copywork, how it is done, and why we incorporate it.
What is copywork?
Copywork was popularized in homeschooling by Charlotte Mason but has been a part of education—and writing—for much longer. Professional writers, copywriters, students, CEOs, and others use copywork. In a home education setting, copywork involves a student copying a passage from a book, scripture, or poem.
The student, teacher, or parent can select this passage. Some families print up a selection of copywork passages for a student to keep in their journal and complete. Other families mark passages that stand out while reading for students to refer back to. Personally, I like to use book darts for this!
Copywork has been proven to be one of the most effective ways to teach spelling, grammar, punctuation, writing mechanics, and style. Writers regularly use copywork and copy passages from other writers whom they want to emulate. It helps create a muscle memory for writing well!
How does a student do copywork?
Copywork is simple. Students should copy the passage using their best handwriting, going slow and steady to ensure no errors. It is an exercise in handwriting, spelling, language arts, and attention to detail.
Some children may do best if they put a solid piece of paper on the passage they are copying. They can then move this paper down line-by-line to avoid the visual overstimulation from too many words on a page. Sometimes, you may want to provide two pieces of paper to cover everything except the current line a child is working on.
How much should my student be completing?
Many children may only be able to get through a sentence when beginning. Some families choose to have their children focus on a length of time, ensuring they’re doing their very best work. Others require a specific length of text. Keep an eye on your child to see how they are progressing and adjust accordingly.
Early elementary– 1-5 sentences, 5-10 minutes. Late elementary– 1 paragraph-half a page, 10-15 minutes. Middle school & high school– half a page to a full page- 15-30 minutes.
Remember- these are just general guidelines! You will also find a handful of our journals encourage writing the same short passage seven times. Repeating something seven times cements it into your memory and creates new neural pathways. This can be beneficial when you’re looking to memorize or emulate someone else’s writing.
If your child can fluently write independently, you may be surprised it takes them much longer to do copywork. This is normal. The child is paying strong attention to detail, focusing on their best handwriting, and no errors. Whereas, in other writing tasks, they know they can go back to edit and aren’t as concerned about writing perfectly.
Why do you include copywork in Fun-Schooling journals?
We believe it is one of the best ways to teach a child all the aspects of writing. It is also beneficial for developing attention to detail, focus, and concentration. And we have seen the studies about how effective it is across disciplines- not just writers! You’ll find copywork in our Mom School journals too. It’s a fantastic skill for everyone. Copywork helps you store important words and skills in your mind and heart.
What if my kid doesn’t like writing?
Having your child do some copywork every day is essential. Copywork is a no-pressure form of writing where they do not have to remember the mechanics, think of ideas, or worry about spelling. It can be effective for kids who are reluctant or struggling writers. Here are a few other tips for kids who struggle with writing-
First of all, writing is much more difficult than we realize! Schools push kids to write and writing skills kids are not developmentally ready for. It’s perfectly normal for kids to struggle with and dislike writing.
Use gel pens or colored pencils to make it extra fun! From there, you can decide how much writing you want to require your child to do.
Our Dyslexia Games helps with writing. It is excellent for all children- not only those with Dyslexia, especially younger children. We’ve had just about as many non-dyslexic kids use it as those with Dyslexia. I highly suggest it for helping with writing, reading, spelling, problem-solving, math, creative writing, and comprehension.
A couple of other ideas/ suggestions: – Print PDFs “booklet” style. This prints them smaller and gives children less of a “blank canvas” to work from, making writing less intimidating. – Let kids draw, color, or cut out photos and collage in their journals instead of writing. – Kids can dictate to you and you can write for them. – Use talk-to-text and print their answers. – Discuss the answers and make a few notes after your discussion is over
– Kids can repeat journals. Let them write a couple of short sentences when they’re younger and then revisit the same journal years later and expand! – Our pocket-size core journals are also a popular option for kids who don’t love to write. They’re tiny and not as intimidating as a full-size blank page. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1539449793/ https://www.amazon.com/dp/1539502821/
You can also use PDFs digitally with the following apps/programs-
-Goodnotes -Kami -Notability -Liquid Text -PDF Expert
Make sure your child does some copywork every day. It’s the best way to teach writing skills.
We hope this helps answer the “what is copywork” question. Feel free to reach out if we can offer any additional clarity.
Check out this article for more helpful writing tips.
Homeschoolers Have a Unique Advantage When It Comes to Winning Scholarships
One of the most common questions people ask me is, “Which scholarships can my homeschool student apply for?”
I’m happy to report that the answer to that question is that nearly every scholarship open to public or private school students is also open to homeschool students. I can’t think of a single scholarship that expressly excludes homeschooled students (although I’m sure they do exist). In short, if the student meets the eligibility requirements for a scholarship, homeschoolers should also assume that they are eligible.
Homeschoolers have a unique advantage when it comes to scholarships, a strategic edge that public and private school students don’t have. They can seamlessly integrate scholarships into their curriculum. Let me explain. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) oJers a scholarship called “Voice of Democracy,” open to all high school students, including homeschooled students. The theme changes yearly, but it’s always related to civics or history. Homeschoolers can incorporate the scholarship into their curriculum, using it as a tool to learn about these subjects while they craft their essay for the scholarship. Moreover, because the scholarship requires an essay, the scholarship entry can also be used as part of the language arts curriculum. And, because the student must record themselves reciting their essay, this scholarship can also be used as part of a speech and oration curriculum. This strategic approach allows homeschoolers to apply for more scholarships in less time than their public and private counterparts, who usually must complete school assignments before working separately on scholarships. These opportunities are not limited to high school-aged students. There are scholarships for middle school and elementary school-aged students, as well. This resourcefulness is a key advantage for homeschool students in the scholarship journey.
During my years as a Scholarship Coach, I have found one way in which homeschooled students are (sometimes) at a disadvantage when it comes to scholarships, and that revolves around third-party “validation.” This term refers to the credibility and impartiality that a recommendation or an extracurricular activity from a third-party educator or organization can provide. While some scholarships are won based solely on a student’s essay or a project, many scholarships require letters of recommendation as part of the application package. If mom or dad is the student’s teacher, as is often the case for homeschooled students, a teacher’s letter of recommendation from mom or dad doesn’t hold as much weight as a letter from a third-party educator. One way to compensate for this is to involve homeschooled students in some level of third-party education. I’m a big fan of dual-enrollment programs, where students earn college credit while in high school. Not only can this reduce the number of courses a student will later have to take in college, but those dual-enrollment professors can be a tremendous third-party source for letters of recommendation for scholarships.
Many scholarships look at more than just a student’s academic record. Some scholarships also consider extracurriculars, volunteering, leadership, and work experience. Of course, many homeschool students are involved in activities. However, I have found that some homeschool students struggle to find meaningful extracurriculars because they don’t usually have access to as many after-school clubs and sports as their public and private school peers. Organized extracurriculars provide opportunities for homeschool students to “level the playing field” with their public and private school competitors. The key is “organized.” To use a sports example, a student might be a fantastic baseball player, but if he’s only competing in the church rec league, his resume isn’t as impressive as the student on the high school varsity baseball team. But that same student can “level up” by playing for a local Babe Ruth League team. The same logic of “third-party validation” that applies to teacher letters of recommendation also applies to the extracurriculars that a student participates in.
Whether a homeschooled student plans on attending college, trade, or technical school or jumping into the workforce, there are scholarships for everyone. The scholarship landscape is not limited to a particular path; it’s a hopeful and optimistic field that caters to all aspirations. While many scholarships are geared toward college-bound students, plenty are specifically for trade and technical schools. Some scholarships even send a check directly to the winner, with no stipulation that the funds be used for educational purposes! So, even if your homeschooler doesn’t have college plans, scholarships can still provide a potentially lucrative “side hustle” for your student. Of course, take the time to learn about each scholarship before applying if those considerations are relevant to your student. As I like to say, “Scholarships are for everyone!” including homeschooled students.
BIO: Dave Peterson, aka Dave The Scholarship Coach, is the father of a recent college graduate who earned nearly $100,000 in scholarships, allowing him to earn a debt-free college degree. As the founder of Scholarship GPS, Dave works with students and their families to help them on their scholarship journeys. More than half of the students in Dave’s Class of 2025 Scholarship Coaching program are homeschooled students.
Today I sit down with my husband Josh, and our sons Isaac and Joe. All three have vastly different reasons for learning and following their passions and interests, but they all have something in common: The WAY they were raised!
Join us through all of their journeys- from public education to home education. Learn about how Josh Fun-Schooled on the weekends while attending public school, and how that led Sarah and Josh created a Fun-School environment for their children so that they could pursue any avenue they were interested in.
Josh, Isaac and Joe have had many passions, and many opportunities to follow those interests. It’s our job as parents to keep fueling their fire, and pivot when they’re ready to chase something new!
Learn about how to spark interest within your children, empower your children to follow their interests, and how to fuel their fire.
My specialty is mentoring anyone who needs help regarding Dyslexia Games. I have been homeschooling for 3/4 years now. And loving it. I am a blessed Mom with 2 beautiful boys living in South Africa.
Our Fun-Schooling story is an amazing one. My youngest is 8, and the oldest is 12. I went from a Mom who did not know homeschooling existed or how to help my Dyslexic Children to discovering Dyslexia Games and Fun-Schooling and wanting to kick myself for not doing it from the start. We use Fun-Schooling Journals for everything except advanced math.
We also love our Dyslexia Games. It has made all the difference for my boys, and it has allowed them to overcome their symptoms of Dyslexia. There is no better way to educate in my opinion, than using Fun-Schooling Journals and letting your child set the pace in your Education Journey.
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If you’d like to connect with Clerissa for help with Dyslexia Games, please send us a DM and we’ll get you in touch with her!
Fellow South African Fun-Schoolers, get printed journals and connect with other families here https://funschoolingsa.co.za/
Today we have a guest post from our Mentor of the Month, Carmen. We hope you enjoy hearing about her homeschool and family.
Hi, my name is Carmen and I have a ten year old son, Kyle. We live in a small, rural town in South Africa. I have been home educating him for four years. We started out trying to do school at home, but it was not working out for him. I was introduced to the Fun-Schooling journals and slowly started to incorporate them into our day. Last year we flipped to Fun-Schooling as our main curriculum, with the focus being animals since that is what my son is interested in.
Mom School
I’ve been working through the Brain Games journals which I’ve loved. It is really nice to be able to just take some time for myself and be creative.
Journal my child is working on
My son will be working through the All About Space journal this year year. It’s a really fun journal for children wanting to be creative and learn about all things space related! He is really looking forward to starting it.
Journal hack
When a child is using the Fun-Schooling journals, it is important to remember to let the journals work for you. I’ve printed out pictures for my son to stick into his journal, instead of having to draw. Another hack for children, is to allow them to use speech to text for writing assignments.
If you’d have told me at age 12 what my job would be as a blogger and virtual assistant. I’d have had 0% framework for any of it other than writing & a bit of the computer piece. The overwhelming majority of what I do and the tools I use didn’t exist when I was 12.
If you’d have told my Dad at 12 what his future as an electrical engineer would look like, he’d have had almost no framework for it. Computers were giant things that took up entire rooms. Most of what Dad used in his job, didn’t exist when he was 12.
If you’d have told my Grandparents at age 12 about the massive technological changes they’d see in working life, I think their heads would have spun, or they’d have not believed you.
My Great Grandmother passed away in the early 2000s at 102 years old. She went from having no electricity to playing solitaire on my laptop with me in college. The amount of change her generation saw was astounding. Her life at 12 was vastly different than previous generations.
If you’d have told any generation before my Great Grandparents about their future careers, they’d have, by and large, known exactly what you were talking about. They grew up with remarkably little change compared to the last 100ish years.
I can do my best to equip and prepare my 12-year-old for his life to come. I can help him build the skills he’ll need and show him technology. Most likely, it won’t be anything even remotely close to what he’s using by my age.
The best I can do for him is teach him how to learn. How to adapt. How to question and wonder what technology is right for him. How to manage stress, rapid change, transition, and an ever-changing culture This is what we’re tasked with as parents, adults, and leaders for the next generation.
It feels like a lot. And I’m glad to be doing it with all of you as we navigate this warp-speed world together for ourselves and our kids.
– we often forget what freedom cost and we forget how to steward and value this treasure. 
